The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) has commenced evening services to and from Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay Island. CEB is the first carrier to launch night flights and utilise the upgraded air traffic control system and newly-installed night navigational equipment at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport.

CEB will be adding two round-trip flights daily between Manila and Caticlan, and will be utilising the ATR aircraft through wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo. Australians will be in a prime to take advantage of the increased network, thanks to Cebu Pacific operating a direct Sydney to Manila service, up to five times a week.

In total, Cebu Pacific has 39 flights weekly between Manila and Caticlan; 14 between Cebu and Caticlan; and seven between Clark and Caticlan. The additional night frequencies will add 12 more flights to Caticlan to bring the total CEB frequency to 72.

Currently, the last flight between Manila to Caticlan leaves at 3:30pm, and the return flight departs at 5:10pm. With CEB’s new night operations, the last flight will be leaving Manila at 6:55pm and will be returning from Caticlan at 8:45pm.

The commencement of night flights at Caticlan Airport was given the go-signal following technical reviews and consultations on its night operation capability with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Department of Transportation, and other relevant aviation authorities.

Prior to Caticlan, Cebu Pacific had initiated night flights to and from Roxas City Airport in Capiz, which is renowned for the abundance of seafood—from fresh shellfish to dried fish and even the rare “diwal” or angel wing clam. Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, another Cebu Pacific destination, is the gateway to whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro and to Asia’s Longest Dual Zipline and 500 metre Python Roller Zipline—the first zipline roller coaster in the region. Other popular gateways include Legazpi International Airport in Albay, which is home to the perfect-cone shaped Mayon Volcano.

“We thank CAAP for continually boosting our airports’ night-flying capabilities. We believe that increasing operating times will not only boost flight frequencies to key domestic routes, but it will also provide travellers more options and greater flexibility when they fly. The additional flights will also help reduce air traffic, especially during the peak flying hours at noon and early afternoon,” said Atty. JR Mantaring, Vice President for Corporate Affairs of Cebu Pacific.

“The evening flights to and from Boracay were a long-standing request of tourism stakeholders and we take pride in being able to deliver these additional flights. Increased flight frequency will mean we can accommodate more passenger schedules, who can also benefit from our lowest year-round fares,” added Mantaring.

For as low as AUD$71, passengers can fly from Manila to Caticlan, while Cebu Pacific also offers daily flights from Clark to Caticlan starting from $61 and from Cebu to Caticlan from $57.